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Mohammad Yousuf involved in controversy

Yousuf was involved in a dispute between the two premier clubs of the league.

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has found himself at the centre of a controversy in the Bangladesh Dhaka Premier League.

Yousuf, who has been sidelined by Pakistan's selectors since late 2010, was involved in a dispute between the two premier clubs of the league - Mohammadan Sporting club and Victoria club. "It is a strange and an unheard situation here. I have never found myself in such a position before in my career," Yousuf said from Dhaka.

The dispute arose when Victoria, who signed Yousuf for the one-day competition, claimed that they had included the player in their playing XI after his former club, Mohammadan, issued him an NOC. But when Mohammadan raised the issue, describing the clearance letter as fake, a third club Abhani refused to complete a match against Victoria this week in which Yousuf was playing, leading to the suspension of the tournament.

Yousuf said according to his information, a final decision would now be taken at a meeting of the league’s organising committee on Saturday. "I came here to play because I don't want to lose touch with cricket," he said.

Latif ur Rehman Badal, who issued the clearance letter to Yousuf in January this year when he was a part of Mohammadan’s management, has now joined the governing board of the Victoria club. Badal claims that the clearance letter is not fake and was issued in January on Yousuf's request. "Yousuf had played for Mohammadan last season but since he had offers from Victoria and other clubs this season, he sought the clearance from us as per the league’s regulations," Badal said.

Pakistan cricketers have been prominently featuring in Bangladesh’s domestic events as they are said to be paid well there. But many of the players who took part in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in February have complained about the non-payment of their dues recently.

According to some players, their payments were to be cleared on March 23 by their franchise and league organisers, but that is yet to happen. "So far I have got only 25 per cent [of my] payment," one player said on condition of anonymity.